Voter fraud, caging, long lines, questionable machines, etc., etc., etc. There is so much angst, so much hand wringing – and rightly so – over the prospect of yet another election being stolen from the people by the corporations that bring us war, war, and more war.
In my humble opinion, poll working is an essential yet overlooked part of the ground game. Poll watching, though very important, is just not enough. I’ve seen poll watchers come for a few minutes and go. To quote Austin Powers, "Whoop de doo Basil!" We need boots on the ground at the polls as well, watching out for monkey business.
The details of my life are quite inconsequential...very well, where do I begin?
I can promise you, nobody’s stealing votes in my precinct. How? Why? You might ask. Because I am one of a dying breed of poll workers...public servants who man the polls on election day...and each and every election is in their hands.
Huge turnout is predicted at the polls this year. In 2004, my voting site was full all day. The air was charged and turnout was the highest I’ve ever seen. This election, with all the enthusiasm and increase in voter registration, will be even bigger.
And we all remember what happened in 2004.
Finally those capitalist pigs will pay for their crimes, eh? Eh comrades? Eh?
With the polls as close as they are this year, voter fraud is again a very real concern. It’s oh so much easier to get away with when the polls are so close.
Why must I be surrounded by frickin’ idiots?
With all the concern about stolen elections, why have we not yet infiltrated the ranks of poll workers?
It would be easy to do. Most poll workers are veterans, burnt out from years of service. They can be cranky and uncooperative, unwilling to go out of their way to make sure every vote counts. We need fresh blood...fresh democratic blood!
In California, we have a severe shortage of poll workers and I’m sure the rest of the country suffers from shortages as well. Yes, it’s a long day but if you truly love politics, it’s fascinating. I can promise you an experience you won’t forget. You will leave with a sense of accomplishment and pride. And the satisfaction that in your precinct at least, the vote was legitimate and trustworthy.
One...hundred...BILLION DOLLARS!
Well, no, but how about $125 for assistant precinct inspector?
It seems the tables have turned again, Dr. Evil
Something interesting happened on Super Tuesday. My precinct, which is overwhelmingly conservative, usually finishes up the opposite of what my heart desires. On that morning, unpacking our ballots, I commented on the number of Republican to Democratic...two to one. My precinct inspector reminded me that we always have more republican voters, almost 2 to 1 in most elections. Right. Well, that day, lo and behold, we dems came within 10 ballots of the republicans. Non-partisans were choosing the democratic ballots. Enthusiasm and turnout was high on both sides...living in a conservative precinct with a good percentage of Mormons out voting for Romney, but we simply outvoted them! And it’s gonna happen again. Boo frickin’ hoo.
So on election day there will be lines and there will be many first-timers and young voters. They will need hand holding and some of them will need to be re-directed to their proper polling places. The lines will have to move as quickly as possible so as not to discourage anyone. We will have to be pleasant and patient with every voter...so they come back next year!
I hate you! I wish I was never artificially created in a lab!
Most voters are nice. They’re excited about the possibility of voting and chit-chat with each other and the poll workers. They ask about the turnout and say "thank you for doing this" when they leave. But there are some grumps and 9 times out of 10 it’s a republican...because hate is all they’ve got and this year will be no exception. They come in frothing at the mouth, full of fire and brimstone after listening to Rush and Sean and BillO, and the new hatemonger on the block, Lou. So beware but be nice.
What’s your point, Vanessa?
There would be a lot less worry about the integrity of the vote if we had a democratic poll worker in each and every precinct. It’s an urgent part of the ground game. Go to google, your county, poll workers and sign up today. We absolutely, positively have to be on the ground in every precinct. Do it now!
Yeah, baby, yeah!